Project Synopsis
Provide a technical due diligence evaluation of a new licensed technology to convert rice husk ash into precipitated silica.
Project Summary
Process Engineering International, LLC (PROCESS) was contracted by a bioenergy company with headquarters in Singapore to perform an independent, third-party technical due diligence study of a new technology that converts rice husk ash to precipitated silica. The technology provider is located in India and operates a batch pilot-plant facility to demonstrate their process.
The process consists of three batch reactors, filters and dryers that convert the rice husks into silica, while producing calcium carbonate and carbon briquettes as saleable by-products.
PROCESS performed the following tasks to critique the technology:
- Reviewed and critiqued the information provided by the technology provider to check the legitimacy of the process and to help ensure that the heat and material balance was realistic
- Performed a literature search to identify similar processes
- Reviewed chemical reactions used in the technology to determine if they were proven and well documented reactions
- Performed a site visit to discuss operations with the technology provider’s personnel and to witness the pilot-plant producing product in multiple batches
- Developed a risk matrix that ranked the perceived technology risks.
PROCESS executed this project in a very short time frame and ultimately prepared a formal report suitable for presentation to the client’s senior management. The report summarized the project approach, the information reviewed, and project findings; and presented perceived process risks as well as provided recommendations to minimize risks.
Industry Type
- Agrichemicals
- Biochemicals
Utilized Skills
- Process validation
- Process technical due diligence investigation
- Technical process evaluation